MY ANANDA EXPERIENCE: Sherly Mathews, India Country Director

Ananda Projects

4. Economic Improvement of Irular Community (Snake charmers) in Manamadurai

We have a project in Manamadurai with a registered NGO called Social Education for Rural Development (SERD). This is a grassroots NGO working with the poor community in four districts through self-help group formation, awareness and education. Manamadurai, the headquarters of Sivagangai District is about 48 Kms from the Temple City Madurai. It is known for production of Classical Music Instrument Ghatam and its Bricks and Pots business. Nearly 50% of the population consists of lower castes - Dalits, fishermen, Irulars.

Our partnership with SERD is to work for the betterment of Irular community, the traditional rat and snake catchers, usually living as nomads. During its 15 years of fieldwork, SERD came across many Irular families wandering around struggling for their livelihood. Such families were brought together to fight for their rights. Majority of the men folk are snake charmers. Their only source of income is sale of snakes and venom which is meager and irregular.

Women are open to take up any unskilled jobs such as domestic help, manual labor etc. Although there is scarcity for domestic servants, Irular women are not easily absorbed because of people’s prejudice against the community.

Our project with SERD is to empower around 100 families of Irular tribal community in three settlements in the outskirts of Manamaduarai. The strategy of empowerment is through Self-help groups (SHGs). SHGs are the forum to build solidarity among the people, discuss social issues and human rights, savings and credit promotion.

SERD is training them for a different way of life. Through linkages with banks and other financial institutions, micro-credit facility is provided to SHG members to take up alternate employment that are not skill intensive. Many men and women chose door to door to sale of articles. In the second year, a coir-making unit is started for giving training to women.

Irular children in the schools are first generation learners. To support their learning and retention in schools, we have started supplementary education centers (evening schools) in the working area. Improved academic performance after joining these centers has enthused the illiterate parents. They slowly started to dream for a better life